In brief
Kenya's Trade Ministry has declared that foreigners who operate small‑scale businesses without proper permits must stop by a set deadline. President William Ruto framed the move as a defense against market competition from non‑Kenyan hawkers, and it follows criticism that visa applications are being misused. While foreign policy officials state that those with documented work permits can continue, the crackdown has sparked concerns about xenophobia and the safety of Burundian traders in Nairobi.
Kenya’s Trade Ministry has warned foreign nationals that visa‑free entry does not automatically give them the right to work in the country, setting a deadline for those running unlicensed small businesses to close.
President William Ruto, who set the cutoff, insisted the policy would not discourage investment but would protect Kenyan jobs by preventing tourists and investors from acting as street hawkers.
The ministry’s statement described the issue as a “deliberate misuse” of visa applications for commercial activities, while the foreign‑affairs ministry added that individuals who possess valid work permits and licences may continue to trade legally.
Burundi’s embassy stepped in, offering emergency travel documents to its citizens who wish to return home amid complaints about their treatment in Nairobi. Burundi’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Edouard Bizimana, warned that continued rhetoric could spark broader regional tensions.
Local trade groups have voiced concerns that a blanket crackdown could affect not only foreigners but also Kenyans who are active in East African markets, potentially destabilising informal trade networks that contribute to local livelihoods and regional resilience.
The move has drawn criticism for risking xenophobia, despite the government’s insistence that the policy is aimed at enforcing existing work‑permit provisions rather than targeting ethnicities.
A key question remains: how many foreign traders will be affected, and what will be the economic ripple effects on Nairobi’s informal retail sector, an integral part of the city’s day‑to‑day economy?
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